We all come from families. Families are big, small, extended, nuclear, multi-generational, with one parent, two parents and grandparents. We live under one roof or many. A family can be as temporary as a few weeks, as permanent as forever.

We become part of a family by birth, adoption, marriage or from a desire for mutual support. As family members, we nurture, protect and influence each other. Families are dynamic and are cultures unto themselves, with different values and unique ways of realizing dreams.

Shared foundation of empowerment Uses all available tools Supports network’s philosophy

› We are all stakeholders

Families have strengths and can change Strengths ultimately resolve concerns People gain hope when they

feel someone really listens Youth must be supported during transition to adulthood

Decisions about permanency must be based on best practice

Central goal must be well-being of children, youth

Family Preparation Child Preparation Child Profile Child Specific Recruitment Child Placement Finalization Post-Permanency Services

Begins with formal training for prospective parents

Creates confidential description of family, lifestyle

How FGDM can enhance Family

Preparation

How Family Preparation can enhance FGDM

Invited families, kin participate › Decide where child will live › Family Preparation can aid placement

decision

Approved kinship families may participate › Simplifies planning

Support system may become part of FGDM in Post-Permanency

2 important components to successful adoptions: › Commitment › Blessing

More willing to maintain child’s ties with birth family

Cultivates sense of entitlement to care for child › Includes network of friends, family,

community

Specialized work, activities to help children prepare for permanency

Child’s life book produced

How FGDM can enhance Child Preparation How Child Preparation can enhance FGDM

Goals of Child Preparation can enhance youth’s experience of FGDM

› Gives the Child a Voice› Honors the Past › Answers the Questions› Creates Connections › Looks to the Future

Can find life long connections for child not known to worker

Prep worker can use information to help child envision future that matches reality

Comprehensive written review of child’s

› Social› Emotional› Medical history

How FGDM can enhance Child Profile

How Child Profile can enhance FGDM

Provides valuable historical, cultural information for Child Profile

Helps professionals

› start discussion about family strengths, traditions, culture

› Identify agency concerns

Recruits families for specific child› Uses diligent search and Accurint

for family finding Variety of methods, resources

used

How FGDM can enhance CSR

How CSR can enhance FGDM

Family finding activities

Suggests names family might invite

Helps prepare youth by clarifying participants, relevance

Uses recruitment techniques to help family learn, understand more about child

Used with group, not necessarily relatives, invested in planning youth’s permanence

Can strengthen CSR process as permanent resource may step forward

Focuses on integrating child into family› Meshes strengths/needs› Pre-placement visits› Start of legal process

How FGDM can enhance Placement

How Placement can enhance

FGDM

May involve extended family, other supports

Can include those presently involved with child, even if role will end

Assist with development of PACA

Support network of friends, family, community established in matching plan

Same network can be in future FGDM During matching, kin/others might be

potential resources FGDM

Services for child, pre-adoptive family before adoption decree finalized

How FGDM can enhance Finalization How Finalization can enhance FGDM

IPSP enhanced, better implemented Helps minimize disruptions Guidelines for contact with child’s birth family

arranged before finalization

› Development of PACA Clearly defined guidelines can make

resource family more willing to maintain contact

IPSP, FGDM use same strengths-based perspective › Families create plan using personal

support systems Finalization allows time for FGDM

meeting

Supports families who adopted or provide kinship or legal custodianship care

Services › Case Advocacy› Support Group › Respite Care

How FGDM can enhance Finalization

How Finalization can enhance FGDM

Anyone chosen by family can participate

Family driven

› Well suited to family-driven Post-Permanency

Family more easily recognizes support system, including informal supports

› Sees their needs addressed

Knowledge of Post-Permanency services helps family › Develop plan› Select resources

Can be used within SWAN’s existing services

One of many options to work with families, children

A philosophy not a program

The more eyes, hands and hearts involved with a family, the safer the child.

Larry Graber

Debra ThomasSr. Family/Child Preparation Technical

Assistant, Diakon/FDR, Harrisburg (717) 231-5353

dthomas@diakon-swan.org